Vast numbers of Christians today are looking for and desiring Christ’s coming. The almost universally believed destination of Christ’s Return is Jerusalem. But is this what God’s Word says?
Many assert, by lacking knowledge of Christ’s coming, that
He comes and immediately vanquishes all enemies, establishing His Kingdom as
described in Revelation. Notice that the Kingdom was to arrive “without
observation.” as described in Luke 17:20-21 first. Here Christ meant that just
His presence can signal the beginning of the Kingdom’s presence. God has been
working with people all over the world, preparing them for leadership positions
in the initial phase of the Kingdom. Only after a reckoning of past performance
before Christ’s judgment seat (Rom. 14:10; II Cor. 5:10) will these specially
called and trained servants be permitted to rule.
Jesus spoke of the Kingdom In seven
parables, collectively painting a full picture in Matthew 13. The first,
gives an overview of the People. The second parable is a depiction of the Good
and Evil, coexisting in the same Place or environment, until the harvest time,
after which it is set apart. The Third Parable explains the Establishment of a
tiny, yet growing Kingdom. The fourth Parallel is drawn to highlight the nature
in which the Kingdom is concealed. The Fifth explains how the Merchant Chooses
the most precious, valuable people and secures the Land. In the Sixth, the
people are chosen, that are valued (as compared with a rare pearl). The Seventh
parable depicts a Father(Fisherman) going out to sea(the entire earth) and
casting his net(The Kingdom) in a specific place, then removing the bad ones
and covering the good ones to inherit the Kingdom(Both spiritual AND
physical).You will see plain passages showing He establishes God’s Kingdom on Earth, using servants that are here.
“The Son of man shall
send forth his angels, and they shall
gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do
iniquity” Matthew 13:41
This certainly depicts a Kingdom that has both Righteous
and Wicked people residing therein. Now, the general Christian concept
of Heaven does not provide for a heaven filled with Evil people, does it? If we
look at the parables Jesus utilized in Matthew, He clearly explains that this
is not just a Spiritual Kingdom, but a Literal Kingdom that is established on
earth!
Every kingdom on
Earth today has four necessary components:
●
Land, property or territory—however large or small.
There must be clear boundaries establishing the size of the kingdom.
●
A ruler or king leading the government.
●
People—subjects—living within the territory governed.
And
●
A system of laws and rules with a basic structure of
government.
1.
Verse 3-23 And
he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth
to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came
and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much
earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And
when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they
withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked
them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an
hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him
hear. - And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them
in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to
know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For
whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but
whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore
speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear
not, neither do they understand. And in
them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall
hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not
perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with
their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart,
and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for
they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many
prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and
have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard
them. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word
of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and
catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed
by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is
he that heareth the word, and immediately with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he
not root in himself, but endureth but for a season: for when tribulation or
persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that
received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of
this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh
unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth
the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth,
some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
The very first parable is really a global general depiction
of the process of receiving the Word of our Father. It shows those who
ultimately succeed in the Kingdom, as those who listen, avail themselves,
persevere under persecution and then ultimately bears fruit.
2.
Verse 24-30
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is
likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his
enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the
blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So
the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow
good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An
enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and
gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up
also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the
time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares,
and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
This parable describes wheat and poisonous tares initially growing
together in the Kingdom of Heaven. The
first phase of this Kingdom is such that, as it grows, the wrong kinds of
people can get in. Obviously the Kingdom is not in a place
called “Heaven”, far removed from this earth. The field is the earth and although
the good seeds are sown by our Father, the enemy sows tares in-between the good
seeds. The Father clearly instructs his Angels, not to gather the harvest.
First will be removed the Tares by the reapers and THEN He shifts the harvest
to another collection point. He shall send His angels and shall gather His
elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of heaven. They
will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years.
3.
Verse 31-32
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is
like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
The seed is akin to microscopic but when it arrives bring
this profound analogy! The mustard seeds Jesus’ audience was familiar with were
extremely small—very hard to see. This is why He called them the “least (small
in size) of all seeds, likely a mediterranean Mustard “Tree” called the Black
Mustard. The “Kingdom of Heaven” the Kingdom of Heaven springs up from the
small acts of generosity to our fellows that we may do and this then grows into
something far bigger than we ever dreamed. It’s capacity to grow and to move
through the faith of it’s spiritual citizens grows it into a world governed by
it, becoming the “greatest among herbs”—a “tree”. It is an invasive plant that
will consume a whole countryside in a short time. It grows up to 15 feet but
one of it’s unique characteristics are
that these 15 foot plants grow so tightly together, they create an
unsurpassable thicket that becomes a home to many species of bird, insect and
rodents. It literally becomes it’s own ecosystem.
The next parable confirms the Kingdom’s small beginning and
a new feature:
4.
Verse 33 Another
parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a
woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
The “Kingdom of Heaven” expands because leaven always
spreads, but it is also initially hidden—initially concealed in the flour.
The next parable confirms the Kingdom being hidden and a new
feature:
5.
Verse 44 Again,
the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a
man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he
hath, and buyeth that field.
The King will go, seek out and find the valuable treasure,
realise its value and attain the land where it is found! This hints strongly at
earthly soil or a country/peice of land where the Kingdom lies buried.
The next parable confirms after the discovery of the valueable, secures it:
The next parable confirms after the discovery of the valueable, secures it:
6.
Verse 45-46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly
pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that
he had, and bought it.
This explains that the Ruler of that Kingdom identifies the
valuable pearl(people) and make it part of the kingdom, but under secure
protection. The kingdom is likened to the merchant(not the pearl). It is not
valuable, because it is found in abundance! But because it is very rare and it
will be protected and secured by the Merchant(Kingdom). Clearly, not all will
make the cut or enjoy this protection.
The next parable confirms the small beginning and
realisation of the Limited space available for Rare Good ones and a new
progressive display of what will happen and when:
7.
Verse 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a
net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was
full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but
cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall
come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into
the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
The net(Kingdom) starts out empty. Over time it fills with
fish of “every kind”—people from all nations. When the Kingdom was full, they
drew to shore. But not all belonged in the net(Kingdom): Note, that not all
fish in the ocean was in the net to begin with and obviously the Kingdom is not
in heaven. He shall separate the ones in the net from one another. The
fishers(Angels) sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad
away. There is a definite progression from the previous parable in that the net
only caught some fish in the sea, then a further refinement takes place as the best
ones are sought out! The choice of words here is highly significant. “Vessels”
depicts a strong analogy for a container or body. n 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul
said it was like having the most valuable treasure in an earthen vessel
(meaning his body), “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the
surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.” The
wicked can however get into the
earthly Kingdom but must at a point be
removed or expelled.The good fish(souls) in the parable, receives a
glorified body or vessel while the bad ones are disposed off entirely in the
fire.
Now read Zechariah 6:12 “And speak unto him, saying, Thus
speaketh Yahweh of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and
he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of Yahweh:”
Here Zechariah pictures Christ growing out of an undisclosed location referred
to “His place” to ultimately build two temples.The first half of the verse
describes building the Spiritual Temple and the latter, a physical Temple. Paul
defined this Temple as this first Temple as (God’s people): “Know you not that
you (God’s people) are the temple of God. This fits perfectly with Malachi 3:1,
which describes Christ returning to Earth to His Temple(God’s people).
Christ started His ministry away from Jerusalem, and he
continues in this manner. The prophet Micah explains that the Kingdom moves to Jerusalem: “O tower of the
flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto you shall it come, even the
first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem” (4:8). It
does not say the Kingdom is built in Zion or that it even starts in Zion. —Christ’s rule long before events in Revelation,
after which it picks up again to continue for 1,000 more years—is not from heaven either. Micah says it “comes”
there, meaning it was initially somewhere else. (Rev. 22:16). He brings His
dominion or His rule, to Jerusalem
and Judah from a different modern nation of Jacob (Israel).He is in a location
called “His place!”
The term “His place” is fascinating and truly incredible in
what it reveals. It means “the bottom, depressed, below, underneath.” Thus the
Kingdom and Christ start from what God Himself calls the bottom (a depressed
place), below—meaning in a place that is concealed and underneath the “skyline”
of human kingdoms and nations.
Phrases like “daughter of Zion” (Zephaniah 3:14), of Babylon
(Psalm 137:8), of Edom (Lamentations 4:21), signify the city or country named
with its inhabitants. There is always in such phrases the name of a place, and
this suggests that under the word “my dispersed” (pûtsai) there lurks some
proper name. Looking at what lies beyond the Rivers of Etheiopia we find a very
likely candidate in South Africa, “the daughter of my dispersed?”
At the southern tip of Africa there are a lot of people,
although they account for less than 8% of the country's population, these
people are particularly remarkable: It is remarkable that the ANC majority
government almost every day must create or amend laws to criminalize,
marginalize and penalize this small minority group;
So remarkable that they are building a future without
parliament, police, voting power and state aid every day because they believe
that God placed them here with a specific purpose and calling; They developed a
language from their common inheritances made up of Dutch, French, English and
various other nationalities.
So remarkable are they, that they survived for almost four
centuries - bullied by the mighty Britain, the Great Depression, the unfair ANC
and barbaric farm attacks. The circumstances in which these people live is
designed to destroy them, but they only become stronger and stronger, and their
faith in God is just greater.
 |
| In 1838 they were put on record, as having made a Covenant with God, that to this day, they do not fail to keep. |
They eat biltong and bake, drink coffee and go to church on
Sundays. They sing together and spend holidays by the sea; They like braai
(with maize or sweet potatoes); They help each other and they also help others.
They are proud Afrikaners
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the
daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
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| Zephaniah 3:10. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia |
Therefore wait ye upon me, saith Yahweh, until the day that
I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I
may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my
fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that
they may all call upon the name of Yahweh, to serve him with one consent. From
beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed,
shall bring mine offering. In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy
doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away
out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more
be haughty because of my holy mountain. (see the parables where the wicked are
removed from the catch)
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor
people, and they shall trust in the name of Yahweh. The remnant of Israel shall
not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in
their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the
heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. Yahweh hath taken away thy judgements, he hath
cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even Yahweh, is in the midst of thee:
thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem,
Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. Yahweh thy Elohim in
the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy;
he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. I will gather
them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the
reproach of it was a burden.
Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and
I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will
get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At
that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I
will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn
back your captivity before your eyes, saith Yahweh.
"so that thy
people may dwell apart." The words contain an allusion to Numbers
23:9, where Balaam describes Israel as a people separated from the rest of the
nations; and to Deuteronomy 33:28, where Moses congratulates it, because it
dwells in safety and alone (bâdâd, separate), under the protection of its
God, in a land full of corn, new wine, etc. South Africa is well known for the
wines of the Cape as well as the endless Maize farms that provide food for over
45 million people. Farms that mostly belong to the Afrikaner people and that have
been ransacked, attacked and in instances expropriated in an attempt to rid the
Country of the Afrikaner nation. Deliberate inaction of the South African
Government has weakened rural security structures, facilitating Afrikaner farm
murders, in order to terrorize white farmers into vacating their farms. Afrikaner
farm murders are not ordinary robberies with aggravated circumstances - but
victims are being tortured in brutal ways during the killings.
John 14:2-3 “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so,
I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare
a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I
am, there ye may be also.”
Christ is bringing mansions from heaven for His tiny
Kingdom. But where will they settle? This “city” cannot be Zion or Jerusalem, as Yeshua said he will
bring them where He is.
Isaiah 60:1-2 begins,
“Arise, shine; for
your light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen ( not descended) upon
you ( from a depressed place, underneath and below view). For, behold, the
darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD
shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you”
The prophet Isaiah powerfully underscores what Habakkuk
foretold:
“ Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this
people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men
shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.”Isaiah
29:14
This means we could expect a gigantic, Earth-rattling Work
to open the Kingdom.
Christ first comes to His people—His Temple—in good times,
bringing His Kingdom “without observation.” It begins in microscopic fashion
and is hidden! It is also initially led by a little flock under Christ. He will
at first hide His presence by being sprout-like. During this first phase of the
Kingdom will come terrible punishment on the nations descended from Jacob, making
them finally ready to receive God’s Kingdom.
The Kingdom will be growing in number of subjects before
Christ transfers a ready-to-be greatly expanded WORLD GOVERNMENT to Jerusalem.
From there He will rule all nations with a larger group of saints coming from
His by then much larger flock. It is at this point He will build the glorious
Third Temple on Mount Zion (Ezek. 40-48).
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